Developing Club and Community Connections 2023

Connecting Clubs and the Local Community

As we entered 2023, England Hockey widened their support radius and encouraged clubs across the Midlands to  apply for funding to deliver new hockey activity to new groups of people who have not had access or opportunity to participate in the sport previously. The projects aimed to introduce hockey and deliver positive experiences to young people, families and adults from inner city areas, areas of high deprivation, with culturally or ethnic diverse backgrounds as well as those who are currently inactive or have longer term health conditions. 

Midlands Clubs Activity

Across the Midlands area, clubs have been implementing projects within state schools and the local community to help increase the reach, access and participation of hockey. Details of their projects and activities can be found below.  

Redditch Hockey Club are Bringing Hockey Back to Their Local High Schools 

Locally hockey in high schools in not an option for most young people in Redditch. With inspiration and funding from the England Hockey Commonwealth Games Legacy project, Redditch HC are engaging with local teachers and high schools. By helping them introduce and develop hockey in curriculum time and through after school clubs, more young people are having an opportunity to have a positive experience of hockey.   

It all started with a High School Festival… 1 day, 7 high schools, 104 children, skills sessions, 7 aside games, support from 10 club volunteers, coaches and the schools games organiser all resulting in the permanent addition of a new High School Hockey Festival and a positive, fun, informal introduction to hockey for many young people. 

Have a look at the video for inspiration on how hockey clubs and local schools can positively work together.   

Commonwealth Games Hockey Inspired Castle Mead Academy and Leicester Hockey Club Partnership 

For students at Castle Mead Academy in the heart of Leicester, all it took was a visit to watch hockey at the Commonwealth Games and they were hooked.  

With funding from England Hockey’s Commonwealth Games Legacy project, Leicester Hockey Club have been taking hockey to places where it doesn’t currently exist within the city. Developing relationships with schools to help children get positive experiences, develop their skills and enthusiasm and due to their clubs proximity, support interested children transition into club hockey and develop a lifelong love of the game. 

Have a look at the video for inspiration on how hockey clubs and local schools can work together to bring hockey to new people and places.  

Khalsa Leamington Showcase How Their Social Hockey Sessions Keep Members of all Ages Engaged and Active 

Age is only a number where the hockey family is concerned. Khalsa Leamington have benefited from England Hockey’s Commonwealth Games Legacy funding to enhance their social hockey sessions, which keep members of their club engaged and active.  

The game-based sessions are open to all members and new players to come along, socialise and use hockey as a way of maintaining fitness or returning to a more active lifestyle without the added pressure and commitment of league hockey.   

Take a look at their video to see how easy it is to implement a social session at a club or within the local community.  

Worcester and Redditch Hockey Clubs Inspire New and Returning Players to Pick up a Stick 

Local Worcestershire based clubs Worcester and Redditch have utilised the England Hockey Commonwealth Games Legacy funding to remove participation barriers for their local community and encourage beginners and returning players of all ages and fitness levels, to get active as a family by picking up a stick and giving a hockey a go.  

Check out the video to see how clubs can engage with their local community and share the positive impact hockey can have on physical and mental wellbeing.